Is there any issue using a microSD card for extra storage vs an SSD/HDD?  MicroSD cards are pretty cheap and easier for me to format.  Is there a size limit?  I'm thinking I only need 256GB.

I would use a usb 3.0 stick

I'd probably go with a decent quality USB3 stick as DU mentioned.

Since this is a U5, smaller SSD are dirt cheap nowadays also and probably a better option.  I just checked amazon canada and NEW you can find 256GB SSD for just over CDN$20.  Better speed, more consistent, and will be hidden in the U5 anyhow.

microSD is a last resort in my opinion.  Keep in mind we have no specs on what speed class the MicroSD card is, and surely the driver is not optimized for speed.   

 

 

I don't have a way to format the SSD.  I suppose I could get a cable.  Or just use a USB3 stick.

If it is not formatted, pretty sure the U5 will be able to format it.  You can check the storage screen and it should give you option to format as portable storage (never format as internal).

 

I think Android only does FAT32 formatting.  If I want exFAT I need a computer.

I think on Android 9 and previously, yes.  On Android 11+ (at least on buzz boxes) not really.. Pretty sure last update will do exFAT on anything over 32G 🙂  I was surprised when I noticed it..   I can test again and confirm tomorrow when I am working from home.  I'll take one of my unused SSD, I'll delete any partition on the SSD on my PC, then insert into U5, format it, then put back into PC and see what filesystem it has.

 

I bought the drive and formatted with the U5.  I don't have a way to check format but I'll try to borrow a USB adapter at some point.  I guess I could try recording something larger than 2 GB to see what happens...

I managed too borrow an adapter and confirmed the SSD was indeed formatted as exFAT.

that's good

now you can download a 4k vod if service has that option